Derby-Lewis trial postponed

2003-03-04 12:18

Pretoria - The trial of Gaye Derby-Lewis, wife of Chris Hani assassin Clive Derby-Lewis, on charges of illegally possessing arms and ammunition, was postponed in Pretoria magistrate's court on Tuesday to May 22 and May 26.

The State asked for the postponement because one of its witnesses was in Namibia. It also needed to prepare another witness's statement for handing over to the defence.

At the request of the defence, the court ruled that Derby-Lewis's passport be returned to her.

She will be allowed to travel overseas on condition that she informs the investigating officer and reports to him within 48 hours of her return.

Her bail of R3 000 was extended.

Derby-Lewis is due to travel overseas shortly for three weeks to conduct research in connection with her studies.

Her husband, Clive, serving a life sentence for his role in the murder of SA Communist Party leader Chris Hani in 1993, was also in court on Tuesday. He was due to testify for the defence.

Claims she is being victimised

Clive Derby-Lewis, who was being kept in the cells below the court until called, was warned, with prison authorities, to be present on May 22. He appeared before the court wearing ankle shackles.

Derby-Lewis was arrested in November during countrywide police raids forming part of a probe into a spate of bombings blamed on the far-right.

She was released on bail after police seized firearms and ammunition at her house.

Derby-Lewis, who claims the firearms were all legal, insists she is being victimised for political reasons.

"It is because my name is Gaye Derby-Lewis. If it was Mary Smith, I wouldn't even be here," she told reporters in January.

She described her prosecution as malicious and unfair, intimating it might be aimed at derailing her husband's application for a presidential pardon.

Legal representatives for Derby-Lewis said she was charged with illegally possessing a relic shotgun, her son's .38 revolver, and 12 rounds of 6.65mm ammunition.

- SAPA